Category Archives: Acceptance

Couple embracing in a park with autumn leaves and trees
Acceptance, Bible, Elijah, Israel, Rejection, Restoration, Romans, Scripture

STILL HIS

ROMANS 11:2

“God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?”

In our American society today, there is an epidemic of estrangement among family members. In particular, adult children have estranged themselves from their parents causing deep hurts and pains. But I would dare to guess that if any of those adult children came back to their parents for reconciliation, they would be welcomed with open arms. Because no matter the amount of pain that was there during the estrangement, that parent’s love for their children never wavered.

Israel had rebelled time and time and time again against the Lord. They had sought other gods, resulting in judgment and exile. However, God never stopped loving His children. Paul will use an example from the life of Elijah in the next few verses to illustrate that point. He says, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” God had a plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. Therefore, He will not break that covenant He has made with them.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “rejected” paints a great picture. It’s apótheó “from apo and the middle voice of otheo or otho (to shove); to push off, figuratively, to reject — cast away, put away (from), thrust away (from).” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). Have you ever shoved someone away who tried to come back in your life? I have to admit that I have done that. Why? Fear of being hurt again, a lack of trust in the relationship. But God does not do that, does He?

I love the use of apótheó here. In Romans 10:21 we saw God with His arms outstretched towards Israel. It’s real hard to shove someone away if your arms are outstretched to receive them. Outstretched arms show a desire to bring them in close. I saw a reel recently on Instagram that showed wives welcoming their husbands home with outstretched arms. The moment they came in the door, that’s what the husbands saw. And what did they do? They all went straight to their wives and embraced them.

That’s what God does to us. He stretches out His arms to embrace us, not shove us away. He stands ready to bring us in close. But for that to happen we have to lean in and not pull away. We’ll see the exchange between Elijah and God that Paul referenced in today’s verse in the next verses. Hang on. This gets good.

Oh Lord, I am so thankful that You are always ready to embrace me and not shove me away.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Red and white road sign altered to read 'NO WAY' next to curved forest road
Acceptance, Bible, Israel, Rejection, Romans, Salvation, Scripture

MAY IT NEVER BE!

ROMANS 11:1

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Some things in life are just absolutes. For instance, I will NEVER eat brussel sprouts again, lol. I will NEVER cheer for the Florida Gators! I will NEVER stop loving Jesus. I could say with Paul, “May it never be!” Paul loves to use this expression. Just look at similar words in these passages in Romans: Romans 3:4, 6, 31; 6:2, 15; 7:7, 13. I may start saying that more when I know something is totally against the truth of God’s word. May it never be!

In chapter 11 Paul picks up where he left off in chapter 10 and further discusses the fate of the Jewish nation. The entirety of chapter 11 is dedicated to showing that although the Jewish nation as a whole had rejected Jesus, there were some who had believed (himself included). Therefore, God was not done with them yet. He would restore the remnant. We’ll spend the next month or so looking at this discussion in depth. Hang on!

APPLICATION

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges says this about Paul’s words in chapter 11 of Romans. “…he turns to state the happier side; and this in two main aspects. First, he reiterates the truth of the Divine Election, but now in its positive aspect—the existence always of a believing Israel within the unbelieving mass. Secondly, he predicts a time when even in the mass Israel should turn to the true Messiah, be restored to the Church, and become thus an influence of vast good for the world.” God is not done with Israel yet. Paul tells us to not believe that lie. God still has a plan of redemption for His chosen people.

God’s promises are always true, right? Look at Psalm 94:14. “For the LORD will not abandon His people, nor will He abandon His inheritance.” How about Deuteronomy 31:6? “‘Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.’” 

Those promises hold true for us, as well. One of my favorites is Isaiah 41:10. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” And the final words of our Lord in Matthew 28:20 tell us, “‘…and surely I am with your always, even to the end of the age.’” Hallelujah, what a Savior! Will He leave us or abandon us? May it never be!

Thank You, Father, that Your promises to Israel and to us are true and undeniable.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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